Alfreton Town boss Law happy to see son Josh agree new deal

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has seen the nucleus of last season’s squad strengthen still further with both Josh Law and Alastair Taylor signing new one-year deals with the Reds this week.

Boss Nicky pronounced himself ‘delighted’ with both signings as he continues to build for the 2013/14 season.

Son Josh’s decision to take up the club’s offer of re-engagement left father Nicky extremely happy. Said the Reds’ boss: “He had an outstanding 2012/13 season. There had been interest from a couple of clubs for him recently, but I am pleased he has decided to stay with us.

“Despite him being just 23 he seems to have been at Alfreton forever, but he falls very firmly into my plans for the club. The younger players are what we are all about. We need so many of them and then need to mix the experience in,” added Law senior.

Only Nathan Arnold, with 52 appearances, managed more than Josh for the Reds last season, the latter finishing only one behind in what was a remarkably consistent campaign.

He will now be heading into a seventh consecutive season with Alfreton, having joined originally on loan from Chesterfield way back in October 2007.

Josh, who has now incredibly made over 260 appearances for the club, also netted one of Alfreton’s goals of the 2012/13 season with a stunning 27th minute 20-yard direct free kick strik,e putting the Reds a goal ahead in an eventual 1-1 draw at home to Cambridge United a week before Christmas 2012.

Meanwhile, manager Nicky Law is predicting a bright future for 21-year-old Alastair Taylor, despite the former Barnsley man being restricted to just 13 appearances with Alfreton last season.

“He is another definitely a major asset who I think everyone at the club is delighted to have on board again. Last season he was somewhat frustrated at not being able to show what he could do due to lack of opportunities.

“But I remember him playing at Barrow early in the campaign and thinking ‘This lad can really play’. Unfortunately, he became a victim of circumstance when we had to change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 system, and it is difficult with a small squad to give players chances when there is always so much at stake, particularly when you are trying to stay in the division.

“Credit to Ally though, because he hung in and trained hard throughout and showed again at the back end of the season that he can definitely play at this level, especially in the final league game against Forest Green Rovers, where he was outstanding.

“I firmly believe he is another one for the future for the club and that he will gain a lot more appearances for the club next season” ended the Reds chief.